Catholic Schools Week celebrated at St. Francis de Sales in Vernon

Immaculate Conception Regional School teacher Judy Spotto leads the school choir as they attend and sing at St. Francis’ 10 a.m. Mass. Rev. Brian Quinn joins the choir for a group picture in the church’s atrium.

They humorously and vocally warmed-up with hoots and chants of "Cheese and Crackers." After a few practice minutes, the Immaculate Conception Regional School Choir was ready to join the St. Francis de Sales choir in the opening of the annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week.

According to the Beacon, the official newspaper of the Paterson Diocese, the theme for National Catholic Schools Week, 2014 is Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service. The observance runs from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1. Schools typically celebrate Catholic Schools Week with open houses, Masses and other student, family, parishioner and community activities. National Catholic Schools Week, 2014 marks the 40th anniversary of this event.

The 25 member children’s choir sang a beautiful meditation song called "We all have Dreams." The song mentioned having eyes to see tomorrow and striving toward what we can be and what we can do.

Immaculate Conception school representative and speaker John Oroho gave a short speech on the benefits of sending one’s children to Catholic Schools.

"It is an economic sacrifice, but truly worth it in the long run," said Oroho. "Children grow academically, socially and spiritually."

Oroho also mentioned the school’s teaching of ever important morals and values.

At the end of the Mass Rev. Brian Quinn thanked the choir and remarked about the representation of Catholic School families present in the congregation. There were scattered children in school uniforms throughout the large congregation.

"How many have attended Catholic Schools at some point in their lives?" Quinn asked.

Roughly half of the church stood.

The Catholic Academy of Sussex County schools includes Pope John XXIII High School, Immaculate Conception Regional School, Rev. George A. Brown Memorial School, St. Joseph Regional School and St. Michael School.

For further information about Catholic schools, visit sussexcountycatholicschools.org.